Automatic control for planetarium operation

ABSTRACT

A planetarium for projecting celestial objects includes control means which is connected to a magnetic tape recorder. A description of a celestial display is normally recorded on the magnetic tape through the recorder and alternatively or in conjunction therewith information can be recorded on photographic slides. As the persons in attendance listen to the voice description of the display from the magnetic tape recorder, a second track on said tape provides control signals to automatically turn off certain of the planetarium lamps. The control signals further act to turn on and turn off motors which move the lamps, thereby simulating the movement of the celestial bodies as they are being described by the voice from the tape recorder. At the same time, switches can be operated to cause a library of slides to be shown from a projector if it is deemed appropriate to have such slides shown during the recorded lecture.

United States Patent [72) Inventor Albert A. Faulkner Conshoboeken, PI.[21] Appl. No. 742,879 [22] Filed July 5,1968 [45] Patented Aug. 3, 1971[73] Assignee Spitz Laboratories, Inc.,

Chadds Ford, Pa.

[54] AUTOMATIC CONTROL FOR PLANETARIUM OPERATION 7 Claims, 10 DrawingFigs.

[52] US. Cl 35/415, 200/27, 318/162 [51] Int. Cl. 60% 27/00 [50] Fieldof Search 35/42.5, 47, 35.3; 179/1002 5; 318/162, 467; 200/27, 38;40/28.1,28.3;340/339,334

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,576,903 11/1951 1mm318/162X 3,131,508 5/1964 Brown 200/27 X 3,178,000 4/1965 Myska 318/162X 3,269,033 8/1966 Redfield etal 3,303,582 2/1967 Farquhar 35/47 FORElGNPATENTS 1,183,002 l/l959 France 179/100.2S

Primary Examiner-Jerome Schnall A norney Zachary T. Wobensmith ABSTRACT:A planetarium for projecting celestial objects includes control meanswhich is connected to a magnetic tape recorder. A description of acelestial display is normally recorded on the magnetic tape through therecorder and alternatively or in conjunction therewith information canbe recorded on photographic slides. As the persons in attendance listento the voice description of the display from the magnetic tape recorder,a second track on said tape provides control signals to automaticallytum ofi' certain of the planetarium lamps. The control signals furtheract to turn on and turn ofi motors which move the lamps,therebysimulating the movement of the celestial bodies as they are beingdescribed by the voice from the tape recorder. At the same time,switches can be operated to cause a library of slides to be shown from aprojector if it is deemed appropriate to have such slides shown duringthe recorded lecture.

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sum 5 BF 7 IN VENToa 41,5527 4. FAUL KNEE A TTOZNEY AUTOMATTC CONTROLFOR PLANETARIUM OPERATION BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of theinvention This invention relates to a planetarium and more particularlyto a means for automatically illuminating and moving the significantlights and projectors of a planetarium in conjunction with, and inresponse to, a recorded voice description and/or with photographic slidedescription of a display and the movements thereof.

2. Description of the Prior Art A planetarium is a device for showingthe movement of the planets. Probably the simplest form of a planetariumis called an orrery. The orrery has a central ball that represents thesun and a mechanical array associated therewith consisting of a seriesof gears and linkages attached thereto. The linkages carry the lesserbodies representing the earth, moon and planets. When the gears are setinto motion the movements of the earth, moon and planets around the sunare simulated. The present planetarium basically provides a display ofprojected lights, many of which can be moved. The orrery simulates anarrangement whereby the viewer is setting off in space, whereas thepresent type of planetarium has the viewer ob serving from earth, as heactually does.

Despite the fact that the science of astronomy is one of the oldestsciences, if not the oldest, the first modern planetarium was notinstalled until approximately 1923 in Munich, Germany The present deviceis a smaller type of planetarium than those found in certain largecities (such as Munich) throughout the world. The present device is aclassroom-type planetarium and makes it possible to automate thedisplays in order to provide more meaningful lectures relating todifferent aspects of astronomy.

Heretofore with such classroom-type planetariums, it has been thepractice to manually turn on the various lights that are necessary torepresent the celestial bodies, as the lecturer is describing aparticular arrangement of such bodies. This procedure of course has someinherent undesirable aspects. For instance, there is the monotony ofrepetition and inconsistency of the lecturer, or his assistant, inproper timing and the failure of less experienced operators to obtainthe maximum use of and benefits from the equipment. in addition, sincethe operation is undertaken in a darkened room some times the improperswitches are turned on or turned ott, and this detracts from the studyatmosphere that is usually created within a planetarium structure. Thearrangement to be described eliminates the undesirable characteristicsmentioned above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present device provides a drum mechanisminto which there can be placed removable plugs. The holes into which theplugs fit form tracks around the circumference of the drum and hence aplurality of plugs located in the track form a ridge protruding from thesurface of the drum. Located in close proximity to the drum is a set ofmicroswitches. The microswitches are turned on and held on by a ridge,or a plurality, of the plugs. The microswitches when closed serve tocomplete electrical circuits which activate the various functions of theplanetarium, such as turning on certain of the lights, turning oncertain of the motors, and regulating other operations of theplanetarium. The motor which drives the drum is connected through asynchronizer means to the mag netic tape recorder and hence when acontrol signal is received from the magnetic tape recorder, the drum isrotated to close the proper microswitch or microswitches which in turnautomatically cause the functions of the planetarium to take place. Inaddition the present device provides the altematives of manually turningon the various functions of the planetarium as well as overriding orreadily changing the automatic control.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The features of the present inventionwill be better understood by reference to the following description ofan embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 3 is a pictorial of the instrument and control console of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of a portion of the pictorial shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged side view of the drum mechanism;

FIG. 4 depicts a schematic of a drum surface which has been developedinto a plane;

FIG. 5 shows the layout of FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E; and

FIGS. 6A through 6E, when viewed as one drawing, is the schematicelectrical circuit diagram of the planetarium and controls.

It should, of course, be understood that the description and drawingsherein are illustrative merely, and that various modifications andchanges canbe made in the structure disclosed without departing from thespirit of the invention.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before considering in detail theapparatus depicted in the figures, consider what would be expected inthe way of a planetarium display. In the planetarium about to bedescribed the observer is considered to be located on the earth. As helooks at the simulated heavenly bodies of the planetarium he can see theSun, the planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury as well as theMoon. In addition he can see the ecliptic, or the path of the sunthrough the sky; the celestial meridian which is an imaginary linerunning through the poles of the celestial sphere; and in addition thecelestial equator. Further this particular planetarium provides anillumination of the eastern horizon, the western horizon and thelatitude and the latitude axis. In addition and almost as importantly asthe display of all of the other elements together, there is a dome onwhich are depicted the stars as they appear in the heavens includingsuch well-known constellations as Ursa Minor, (Little Dipper) and UrsaMajor (Big Dipper). Now as is well known, the planets, and the starshave not only a diurnal change of position with respect to earth buthave an annual change of position with respect to earth. Accordingly theplanetarium provides a means to actually rotate the projectorrepresenting the sun and the planets, the moon and the stars on adiurnal basis as well as an annual basis. The eastern horizon display,the western horizon display, the meridian, are fixed light patterns andhence they are not coupled to a movable means. However the eclipticdisplay as well as the latitude and celestial equator displays areconnected to a movable means so that the paths defined by the projectedlights representing the same can be moved.

Typical planetariums with which the control apparatus may be employedare shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,616,736 to Bauerfeld, and 2,632,359 toSpritz. Other planetariums which could be used with slight modificationsare shown in the U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,l68,799 to Korkosz; 3,303,582 toFarguhar and 3,526,619 to Frank.

Consider now FIG. 1 which is a pictorial of the planetarium structureand control console with which the present invention is employed. Itshould be understood that there is a dome which approximates at leasthalf a sphere which is also employed with the present planetarium as atype of screen against which the lights of the planetarium areprojected. This dome is not shown but it should be simply understoodthat it is employed with the planetarium for the display of projectedlights representing the celestial bodies.

In FIG. 1 there is shown a sphere 11 which has a plurality of holestherein. These holes are not shown because it would become complicatedto try to arrange a pattern of holes on the drawing which would resemblethe various constellations which are defined by light passing throughthese holes. Inside the sphere 1] there is a lamp which is designated inthe circuitry configuration hereinafter to as the stars." When thisstar" lamp is illuminated the light rays therefrom pass through theholes of the sphere 11 and onto the dome and effect spots of lightthereon which when considered together define the various constellationsfound in the heavens.

The dome 11 is mounted on a bar 13 which is further coupled to a motorwithin the housing 15. The motor within the housing is able to move thesphere ill at one speed which represents a diurnal motion. The motor isreversible. By being able to move sphere 11 in either of these twodirections, the lecturer can cause a star configuration to be variouslylocated, at any particular time, for instance to show what it might beat some l2 hour period before or after a hypothetical time offered inthe lecture.

Beneath the motor housing 15 there is a rack of projectors 17. Thebottommost projector 19 includes a lamp which will create a spot on thedome representing the sun. The projector 21 will create a spot on thedome representing the planet Saturn. The projector 23 will create a spoton the dome representing the planet Jupiter. The projector 25 willcreate a spot on the dome representing the planet Mars. The projector 27will create a spot on the dome representing the planet Venus. Theprojector 29 will create a spot on the dome representing the planetMercury, while the projector 31 will create a spot on the domerepresenting the Moon. Now it should be understood that while many ofthese projectors appear in the drawing to be limited in the same plane,such as projectors 21, 25, 27 and 29, actually these projectors areangled in and out of the plane of the drawing so that the paths, whichare defined by the light spots that they create, are different from eachother. It is to be further understood and will be readily apparent withrespect to the discussion of the circuitry that these projectors arecapable of being turned on and off in accordance with the subject matterof the lecture.

On the top of the rack of projectors 17 there is located a housing 33with an aperture therein. Within the housing 33 there is a lamp whichwhen illuminated creates a beam of light and ultimately a trace on thedome representative of the ecliptic. On the right-hand side of thedrawing there is shown a dome 35 which may be employed to give any ofvarious different patterns or effects. There is a lamp housed in thedome 35, and through the dome 35 the western horizon display iseffected. On the lefl-hand side of the structure there is a second dome37 which is similar to the dome 35 and for other patterns or effects.Within the housing 37 there is housed a lamp which when illuminatedeffects a display of the eastern horizon. Alongside of the dome 37 thereis a housing 39 with a slit therein. Within housing 39 there is a lampand when it is illuminated it creates a projected kind of light linewhich represents the celestial meridian. Although it is not shown in thepictorial of FIG. 1, it should be understood that at the rear of thehousing 15 there is a further housing which has a slit therein. In thisfurther housing there is a lamp which when illuminated creates alinelike effect to represent the celestial equator. Finally, there is asmall housing 4! on the right-hand side of the motor housing 15. Withinthe small housing 41 there is a pair of gears which move the instrumentin latitude and around the latitude axis. Since the latitude, in acelestial sense, will be the measurement of the angular distance of acelestial body from the horizon, the dome 11, housing 15, and projector17 must be movable and accordingly it is linked to a motor held in thehousing 43, which motor is controlled by a switch 1850 (FIG. 1).

The projector as described is held above the console by four legs, twoof which legs, 45 and 47, are readily seen in FIG. 1. Below theprojector structure just described is the upper control panel 49. On thecontrol panel there are found, at the upper left-hand side, two knobs 51and 53. The upper knob 51 is the eastern horizon knob. When knob 51 isturned on, the lamp in the housing 37 is illuminated to give a displayof the eastern horizon. The knob 53 is called an auxiliary knob and whenit is turned on it causes power to be provided at the auxiliary outlet54.

Somewhat to the right is found the knob-55 which controls the lampinside the sphere 11 and is called the stars control. When it is turnedon the stars lamp is illuminated and the star array can be seen on thedome. The knob 56 is the sun-moonplanet knob and when it is turned onall of the lamps in the stack 17 are illuminated. The switch 57 is thediurnal motion motor switch and when it is turned on the stack 17 isrotated around the axis of shaft 58 at a speed which simulates (within agiven time period of a lecture) the daily movements of the celestialbodies represented by the projectors l7. Knob 59 is the meridian knoband when it is turned on the lamp inside the housing 39 is turned on.The knob 60 is the equator knob and when it is turned on the lamp whichcreates the equator display and the lamp which is located behind thehousing 15 (as described earlier) is illuminated to create the celestialequator. Knob 61 is the ecliptic knob and when it is turned on the lampheld in the housing 33 is illuminated to create the ecliptic path on thedome. The switch 62 is the annual motion switch and when it is turned onthe annual motion motor located on the housing 33 is turned on to rotatethe various projectors 17 in accordance with an annual movement of thecelestial bodies within a given period of a lecture. The next positionis the panel light switch 63 and when it is turned on it causes light toilluminate from the panel light position 64 which enables the lecturerto look at his notes if he so desires. The knob 65 is a pointer switchand when it is turned on there is power at the pointer jack 66 to enablea hand held projector to be inserted therein and used as a pointerdevice to particularly direct the observers attention to something onthe dome. Finally, the knob 67 is the west horizon switch and when it isturned on, the lamp in the housing 35 is turned on to create the westernhorizon display on the dome. The switch 68 in the lower left-hand comeris one of the master switches and when it, along with switch 52, ofpanel 69, is turned on, power is supplied to all of the necessaryelectrical circuits.

Below the control panel 49 is an indicator and switch panel 69. Thisindicator and switch panel 69 has 21 positions. The first four positionson the right-hand side are switches which will be described more indetail with the description of the electrical circuits and the last twopositions are also switches. The positions in between are simplyindicator lights that give an indication that certain projector lampsshould be illuminated and if in fact such an indicator light is on,while its related projector is not illuminated, it can be generallyassumed that it is a failure of the projector bulb and not the powercircuit.

Below the switch and indicator panel 69 there is housed within the lowersection of the console, a slide projector 70. The slide projector 70 isa typical lantern to project light through a photographic slide andthrough a lens to a mirror 71. The mirror 71 is properly located to showthe display at some suitable location.

Below the slide projector 70 and disposed within the housing is a taperecording machine 72, the utility of which has been explained above andwhich will become more apparent hereinafter. Finally below the taperecorder 72 there is depicted a drum device 73 the details of which willbecome more apparent hereinafter.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the console with the control panel 49. Thethree end switches 51, 53 and 55 as well as the master switch 68 andmaster switch 52 of the switch indicator panel 69. As will become moreapparent in the discussion of the circuitry, switch 52 is actually asecond master switch and both switches 68 and 52 should be on when thedevice is in operation. Also shown in the side view of FIG. 2 are theslide projector 70, the tape recorder 72 and the drum mechanism 73.

Consider now FIG. 3 which is an enlarged side view of the drum mechanism73. The surface of the drum 73 is formed so as to be able to hold aplurality of removable plugs such as the plugs 75. Although it cannot bereadily seen in FIG. 3, actually the drum surface has tracks 'or columnsof holes into which these plugs can be inserted or from which they canbe easily removed. As can be seen in FIG. 3 when there is a plurality ofplugs, these plugs in effect form a type of ridge. Accordingly, when theroller 76 of the microswitch mechanism 77 comes in contact with theplugs it is held up in a contact position for as long as there are plugscontinuously located along a column of holes. When the roller mechanism76 has passed over the end plug of a series of plugs and rolls into aposition wherein another plug might have been (but is not so located)the microswitch 77 will be fully opened and the circuit will no longerbe connected. The drum 73 is driven by a gear arrangement made up of thegears 78 and 79. The gear 79 is secured to the shaft 80 which in turn iscoupled to a motor whose operation will become more apparenthereinafter. As can be noted, in FIG. 1, the shaft 81 to which the drumis secured has a pair of manually operable knobs 82 mounted thereon. Theknobs 82 enable the operator to manually turn the drum around in aforward direction in order to pace the drum through an operation to seewhat will transpire after certain plugs have been inserted into the drumand certain plugs removed therefrom. The drum can be readily removedfrom the machine in order to enable the user to easily insert the plugsto conform to a predetermined program. As is evident in FIG. 3, themicroswitch 77 is mounted on a frame 83.

FIG. 4 shows a schematic of a portion of a drum which has been developedinto a flat plane. Each of the squares, such as squares 84, representsan indentation, or aperture, or hole into which a plug may be inserted.If the automatic control were on during the time that a lecture was ineffect and the stars were to be shown for four segments of time with abreak, and then for five segments of time, there would be plugs insertedas shown in column 85. In addition, if the sun, moon and planets lampswere to be illuminated for six segments of time, the plugs would beinserted in the position shown in column 86. It will be noted down atthe lower section of the layout in FIG. 4 that there is a timer track.The timer track, as will become more apparent hereinafter, has plugsinserted therein as needed to interrupt and stop the rotation of thedrum at each plug. This character of control differs from the other plugfunctions. As will become further apparent, but which needs someexplanation with respect to FIG. 4, there is shown a plus lights" columnand a minus lights" column. The motor which dims the lights orintensifies the lights can drive in a forward or backward direction. Theplus lights can be arbitrarily chosen as the forward direction and theminus lights as the reverse direction in accordance with whether theoperator wants to dim the lights or turn up the lights. Assuming that inthis case the drum would be moving from the right side of the drawingtoward the left-hand side of the drawing, the lights would be dimmedinitially by the minus lights" plug in position 87 and turned on againby the plus lights" plug in position 88. The meaning of the location ofthe plugs in FIG. 4 will become more apparent as we study the electricalcircuitry hereinafter.

Consider now FIGS. 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6B which when taken togetherrepresent a schematic circuit diagram of the electrical circuitarrangement of the planetarium. The FIGS.

6A, 6B, 6C, 6D and 6E should be laid out as shown in FIG. 5. In FIG. 6Cthere is shown an electrical plug 89 which is normally plugged into anoutlet in the planetarium room to provide the main power to theelectrical circuitry. It will be noted that electrical plug 89 providespower to some additional electrical plugs 90 and 91. It is into one ofthe female plugs 91 that the electrical plug 93 shown in FIG. 6B isnormally connected.

Having established power at the electrical plug 89 we find that if wefollow the circuit path 94, through the fuse 95, into FIG. 61), throughthe terminal board 102 at location 96, up and along wire 94, back intoFIG. 6C, we arrive at the righthand point of the normally opened points97. The normally opened points 97 are the electrical structure of theswitch 52 which we described in conjunction with the description of FIG.2. Switch 52 is one of the two main switches, along with switch 68. Whenswitch 52 is closed, the normally opened points 97 are closed and hencethe power circuit path that we have thus been tracing passes through thenow-closed points 97 to the wire junction 98, back along the line 99,into the wires shown on FIG. 6D, through the wire junction 100, to thewire junction 101, to the left therefrom to the terminal board 102,through terminals 103, to the left-hand terminal 104 of the primarywinding 105 of transformer 201, through the right-hand terminal 106,back to the terminal board 102, through the terminals 107, to the rightto the wire junction I08, upward and to the left to the terminal board102, through the terminals 109, further along the left into thecircuitry on FIG. 6C, to the middle line of the electrical plug 89.Hence it should become apparent that when the electrical plug 89 isplugged into the main source of power and the switch 52 is turned on,closing the points 97, the primary winding 105 of transformer 201, (FIG.6D) will be energized. The energization of the primary winding 105 willbecome more important in our discussion of the automatic operation ofthe system, but for the moment let us digress and establish power at theelectrical plug 91 so we might consider the manual operation of thesystem before we consider the automatic operation. It will be recalledthat we traced a power path through the closed points 97 to the wirejunction 100 (FIG. 60). If we start at the wire junction 100 in FIG. 6Dand go left, through the terminal board 102 at the terminal points 111,and further to the left along line 301-into the circuitry in FIG. 6C wefind that we have traced power to the righthand side of each of theelectrical plugs shown on the plate 91; Hence, when the electrical plug93 is plugged into one of the electrical plug 91, power is establishedto that electrical plug 93 when the switch 52 is closed.

MANUAL OPERATION Before we consider the automatic operation let usconsider the manual operation which can be readily understood from astudy of the circuitry shown in FIGS. 6A and 68.

Above we have described the circuitry to establish power at the plug 93when it is plugged into one of the female plugs at position 91 in FIG.6C. Earlier we made mention of the fact the main switch 68 as shown inFIGS. 1 and 2 was one of two main power switches and was closed. Theelectrical structure of the switch 68 are the open points 112 (FIG. 6B)and hence when switch 68 is closed, the electrical points 112 will beclosed and hence the primary winding 113 of transformer 114 will beenergized. The transformer 114 of which 113 is the primary winding is astep down transformer and develops approximately 7 volts at thesecondary winding 115.

Having established power at the primary winding 113 of transformer 114let us consider what happens when we close the switch 118 which is theelectrical structure of the switch 53 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. It will berecalled that switch 53 is an auxiliary switch which provides power tothe auxiliary outlet. The auxiliary outlet in FIG. 6B is shown as thespace 119 between two terminals. When voltage is developed across thesecondary winding there is current path from the upper line, or commonline 120, to the left, then upward along line 121 and to the left andfurther upward along line 121, leftward along the line 122, downward andto the right to the left-hand side of the auxiliary outlet 119. Theright-hand side of the auxiliary outlet 119 has a circuit path along theline 123 to the circuit junction 124, upward and to the right throughclosed switch 118, through the resistor 125, upward and to the left andback down along the line 126, to the wire junction 127, downward to themiddle tap line 128 and back to the middle tap of the secondary winding115. Hence it becomes apparent that when the switch 53 is closed,closing the points 118, there is electrical energy supplied to theauxiliary outlet 1 19.

Consider nowthe circuitry arrangement when the switch points 129 areclosed. The switch points 129 are the electrical structure of the switch51 which was discussed in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2. It will berecalled that switch 51 was'the eastern horizon switch and turned on thelamp which effected the eastern horizon display. The eastern horizonlamp is lamp 130 in FIG. 6A. The power to the eastern horizon lamp 130is transmitted along the path starting at the common connection line 120to the left, up and along the line 121, into the circuitry of 6A, alongthe line 131 to the ground terminal 132. The power path continues fromthe ground terminal 133, up along the line 134 to energize the lamp 130,along the return path 135, through the resistor 136, through the closedswitch points 129, down along the line 126, back to the wire junction127, down to the tap wire 128 back to the tap position of the secondarywinding 115. Hence it becomes apparent that when the switch points 129are closed, the light 1311 will become illuminated.

When the switch points 137 are closed, it will light the stars" lamp 135in FIG. 6A and hence produce the star array from the dome 11 shown inH6. 1. It will be recalled that the third switch which was depicted asswitch 55 in FIGS. 1 and 2 was identified as the stars switch and whenit is turned on the lamp 138 (FIG. 6A) will be illuminated. Thecircuitry for illuminating the lamp 135 can be readily traced out byfollowing the path from the common connection line 120, to the groundconnection 132 as was previously just described. Starting at the groundconnection 139, the power path is through the lamp 138 to the returnside of the lamp, through the contact 140, along the line 141 into thecircuitry of FIG. 611, through the resistor 142, through the closedswitch points 137, back along the line 302 to the tap position of thesecondary winding 115. The contact M permits the rotation through 360and beyond, of the bulb 1313 and its associated mechanism withoutbinding the wires. When the switch points 143 are closed in response tothe switch 56 (shown in FIG. 1) being manually moved, there will be acircuit to light the sun, moon and planet lamps of rack 17 (depicted inFIG. 1 and FIG. 6A). The circuit for lighting the lamps 19, 21, 23, 25,27, 29 and 31 can be readily determined by once again starting with thecommon connection line 1211 and tracing the path along lines 121 and 131to the ground terminal 132 (FIG. 611). Now it will be noted that each ofthe lamps 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 has left-hand electricalconnections connected to the ground terminal 164. Hence commencing withthe ground terminal 1434 we find a path through each of the lamps 19,21, 23, 25, 27, and 31, to a common connection 165. The commonconnection line 145 is further connected to the line 146 which can betraced downward to the right in FIG. 6A and over to the left in FIG.613, through the resistor 1 17, through the closed switch points 1 13and back to the tap of the secondary winding 115. Hence when the switchpoints 143 are closed, the lamps 19, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31 areilluminated to provide light for the Sun as well as for the displays ofthe planets Saturn, Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Mercury and the Moon.

Consider the operation of the daily motion and the annual motion at thesame time since common circuitry is used. The daily motion motor 148 isshown on the right-hand side of light stack 17 in FIG. 6A, while theannual motion motor 149 is shown on the left-hand side of stack 17 inFIG. 6A. The switch 150 which controls the daily motion motor 142 aswell as the switch 151 which controls the annual motion motor 149 aredouble throw switches which enable the respective motors to be driven ina forward direction and in a reverse direction. Consider that the switch150, connected as it is shown, is to drive the motor 148 in a forwarddirection. Thus we find that the circuit path is from the common line120 of the secondary winding 115 upwards along the line 152 in FIG. 6Band along the line 152 in FIG. 6A to the wire junction 153. The circuitpath continues through the right-hand winding 154 of the motor 148 alongthe line 155, through the closed points as shown in switch 150, to theother side of the secondary winding 115 via lines 3113 and 156. If theswitch 150 had been closed on the other side so that the switch point157 had been connected, the circuit would have been the same up to thewire junction 153 (P10. 6A), but it would have been through the winding158, returned along the line 159 to the closed point 157, back to theother side of the secondary winding via lines 303 and 156. The circuitryfor driving the annual motion motor 149 is very similar to that justdescribed in connection with the daily motion motor and a furtherdescription thereof does not appear to be necessary.

The next three switches, i.e., the meridian switch, the equa tor switchand the ecliptic switch designated in FIG. 1 as switches 59, 61 and 60respectively cause the lamps 160, 161 and 32 to illuminated. The lamp isthe meridian lamp and its power path can be traced starting at the line120 of the secondary winding 115, left and up along the line 121 and 131to the ground terminal 132. From the ground junction 133 (1 1G. 6A) thepath is through the lamp 160, downward and back to the switch point 162(FIG. 613), through the switch 162, through the wire junction 127 to themiddle tap line 128, and hence to the middle tap of the secondary 115.The equator lamp 161 has its power path through the common line 120 ofthe secondary winding 115, up and along lines 121 and 131 to the groundterminal 132. From the ground position 163 (FIG. 6A), through the lamp161, downward and back along line 369 to the resistor 164$ through theclosed switch 165, (which is the equator switch similar to switch 61shown in FIG. 1), back along the line to wirejunction 127, downward tothe tap line 128 and finally to the tap of the secondary winding 115.Hence, when the switch 61 is activated and the points 165 closed thelamp 161 will be illuminated. Finally an ecliptic lamp 32 is turned onwhen the switch points 166 are closed. The circuit path for energizingthe lamp 32 is similar to the others starting with the common connectionline 120 of the secondary winding 115, along lines 121 and 131 to theground terminal 132. The path continues from the ground terminal 144,through the lamp 32, upward and back along the line 167, to the resistor168 (FIG. 68) through the closed switch points 166, to the right anddown to the wire junction 127, back to the middle tap line 128 to thetap of secondary winding 115.

The panel switch 63 in FIG. 1 when activated causes the panel lightswitch points 169 (FIG. 68) to be closed. The energization of the panellight 170 can be readily seen by tracing the path from the common line120 of secondary winding 115, along the line 121 to the wire junction171. The path continues from the wire junction 171, through the lamp170, along the return line 172, to the resistor 173, through the closedswitch points 169, down to the right to the wire junc tion 127, down andalong the center tap line 128 to the center tap of the secondary winding115.

When the switch points 174 are closed in response to the switch 67(FIG. 1) being activated, the west horizon lamp 175 (F16. 6A isilluminated. The power for illuminating the west horizon lamp 175 isobtained by the circuitry commencing at the common line 120 of secondarywinding 115, along the lines 121 and 131, to the ground terminal 132.The path continues from the ground terminal 176 (FIG. 6A), through thelamp 175, along the return line 177 to the resistor 178, through theclosed switch points 174, along the line 179, down and to the right tothe line junction 127, down to the center tap line 128 and thus to thecenter tap of the secondary winding 115.

When the switch points 180 are closed in response to the switch 65(FIG. 1) being activated there is power supplied to the pointer jack181. The power path to the pointer jack 181 is along the line 120 ofsecondary winding 115, along the line 121, to the wire junction 182,leftward along the line 122, down and to the right of the pointer jack181. The path continues from the other side of the pointer jack 181, upalong the line 133, through the closed switch points 180, through theresistor 1M upwards and along the line 179, downwards and to the rightto the terminal 127, downwards and to the right along the center tapline 128 to the center tap of the secondary winding 115.

The latitude switch 165 is a switch that is connected to the latitudemovement motor 186 and hence it is a double throw switch in order toenable the motor to go in a forward or reverse direction as did themotors 148 and 149. When the latitude switch 185 is in the positionshown, there will be a power circuit commencing along the common line120 of secondary winding 115, to the line junction 187, along the line188, to the wire connection H89, through the winding 180, through thelimit switch 191, back along the line 192, through the closed points185, (as shown), along the line 193 to the full voltage side of thesecondary winding 115. When the switch M35 is thrown to the oppositeside from whence it is shown, the circuitry will be the same exceptingthat the path will be through the winding 194 of the motor 186, alongline 304, through the limit switch connection 195, back along the line196, to the wire junction 197, through the closed switch 185 (on theother side from where it is shown), back along the line 193 to the fullvoltage side of the secondary winding 115. Accordingly, we haveconsidered the manual operation of the planetarium as shown by thecircuitry in FIGS. 6A and 68. Much of the circuitry just described iscapable of being operated automatically. We will now discuss theautomatic operation, bearing in mind that where possible we will notrepeat the actual circuitry of energization once we get into familiarcircuit paths already described.

AUTOMATlC OPERATION The automatic operation of the system takes place inconjunction with a lecture on a magnetic tape. The recording of thelecture on the magnetic tape is not part of the invention but the use ofthe stop and start signals on a second track of the magnetic recorderare employed with the invention. Accordingly, let us assume that therehas been a lecture recorded on a magnetic tape and now the tape is beingrerun for the purpose of recording, on a second track, stop and startsignals which will be used to energize certain lamps, motors, etc. ofthe planetarium.

As the lecture starts, the voice on the tape tells the observers thatthe lights will now be dimmed and at that point we will want to providea control signal on the second track of the magnetic tape, in order tostart thedimming of the lights. in order to accomplish this the switch1198 (FIG. 6C) is depressed and an AC hum signal is recorded on thesecond track of the magnetic tape through the jack 199 which is pluggedinto the record jack" of the magnetic tape recorder. The way the forgoing is accomplished is as follows:

We have already discussed the energization of the primary winding 105 oftransformer 201 when the switch 52 (points 97 in FIG. 6C) is closed.With the primary winding 105 energized, the secondary winding 200 of thetransformer 201 is also energized providing an AC signal thereacross.The AC signal path from the secondary winding 200 is along the line 202up and to the right to wire junction 306, along the line 203, into thecircuitry of HG. 6C through the closed switch 198, back through the line204 up and to the right into circuitry of FIG. 61'), down to the line205, back to the wire junction 206, through the resistors 207 and 208,back along line 209, through the back-to-back diodes 210, to the otherside of the secondary winding 200. The back-to-back diodes 210 arechosen to conduct current for an applied voltage at a value that isslightly less than the voltage applied by the secondary,

. hence there is an AC signal through the back-to-back diodeshereinafter described.

Now each time that the lecturer wants to provide a control signal tostart some action, such as dimming the lights, or stop some action, hesimply depresses the switch 198 and an AC hum signal is recorded on thesecond track of the magnetic tape as just described. At the same timethat the AC hum signal is recorded on the second track there should be aremovable plug inserted in the proper column of holes on the drum sothat the correct microswitch will be energized in order to accomplishthe desired operation. in other words, as will become apparenthereinafter, the AC hum signal only causes a relay to be activated whichin turn causes the drum to rotate, but the closing of the respectivemicroswitches by the inserted plugs on the drum actually causes theoperations to be effected. We will assume that each of the positions onthe microswitch array 215 shown in FIG. 6E is disposed opposite a columnof holes on the drum into which removable plugs can be inserted. Asmentioned earlier, when such plugs are inserted they serve to close themicroswitches which lie opposite their position in response to the drumrotating the plugs into contact with the arms of microswitches.

Now studying the microswitch array 215 assume that when we want to dimthe main lights of the planetarium we put a removable plug or plugs intothe fifth column of holes (i.e., the fifth column from the left-handside in the drawing) opposite the microswitch 216. The amount of dimmingrequired will be controlled by the length of time the microswitch 216 isheld closed. Accordingly, we want to run the drum so that the plugs comein contact with microswitch 216. This is accomplished by closing theswitch 217 (FIG. 6C) which provides a circuit to close the relay points218 (P16. 6D) as follows: There is a circuit path from the secondarywinding 200, through the relay coil 219, along the line 220, up and tothe right along the wire junction 307, up along the line 222, throughthe closed switch 217 (FIG. 6C), back along the line 223, through thewire junction 224, back along the line 225 to the other side of thesecondary winding 200. Thus the relay 219 is energized thereby closingthe relay points 218. When the relay points 218 are closed there is acircuit to energize the drum motor 234. The relay 219 is held closed bythe synchronizer as will be explained later. The relay will stay closeduntil the timer microswitch 270 is made to first close by rotation ofthe drum and then as the drum continues to rotate microswitch 270 willslip off the control plug, opening the circuit, stopping the rotation ofthe drum, and at the same time preparing the synchronizer to receive thenext signal.

The circuit path is from the electrical-plug 89, through the fuse alongthe line 94 into the wiring of P16. 6C, up and through the closed switch97, back along the line 99 to the junction point 226, leftwards throughthe terminals 327, along the line 227, down and to the right through theclosed relay points 218, back along return line 228, through theterminals 229 and board 102, up along the line 230, through the normallyclosed points 231 of the left-hand most switch on the switch indicatorpanel 69. The circuit path continues back along the line 331, to theright into the circuitry of FIGS. 6D and 6E, along the line 331, throughthe terminals 232 of terminal board 308, up and to the left along theline 233, then the right along the line 233, through the motor 234, backalong the return line 235, back through the terminals 236 of terminalboard 308 down and to the right and up along the line 237, to the leftand through the terminal 109 of terminal board 102, back along the leftto the middle wire 110 of the three prong electrical plug 89.Accordingly then, when relay points 218 are closed, the motor 234 isenergized to rotate the drum. The drum has been made to rotate underthese conditions by depressing the plug 217 and hence the removable drumplugs which were set in the drum along column five, will cause themicroswitch 216 to close. it should be made clear at this point thatrelay 219 is an AC relay whose characteristics are chosen to alsorespond to a surge of DC current.

It will be recalled that the drum was rotated to test run" dimming thelights. Consider now what happens when the microswitch 216 closes. Thereason for closing the microswitch 216 was to cause the motor 238 torotate in a forward direction thus causing the dimmer pot 239 to berotated and hence dim the lights. The circuit path to the motor 238through the microswitch 216 is as follows: The circuit path starts in(FIG, 613) at the full voltage side of the secondary winding 115 andalong the line 156 down through the female plug position 240. From thefemale plug position 241) the path continues through the male plugposition 2411 (in FIG. 6C), therefrom along the line M2 into thecircuitry of FIG. 60, further along the line 242, down into thecircuitry of FIG. 6E, further along the line 242, through the terminals243 of the terminal block 2 14, up and to the left along the line 245which becomes a common bus to many of the microswitches. The circuitpath goes on from the line 245, through the closed microswitch 216, backalong the line 246, through the terminals 247 of terminal board 3118, tothe wire junction 248, to the left along the line 249, through theterminals 250 of the terminal block 251, up and through the limitingswitch 252, to the left and up along the line 253, through motor winding254, out and along the line 255, back through the terminals 256 of theterminal block 251, along the line 257, to the right and up along line257 into the circuitry of FIG. 6D, further along line 257, to the leftand into the circuitry of FIG. 6C, finally up along the line 257 to theline junction 25%, out to the left and down to the male plug positions259, 269 and 261. The male plug positions 259, 2611 and 261 connect upwith the female plug positions 264, 263 and 262 which in turn connect tothe common line 120 of the lower side of the secondary winding 115.Accordingly, it becomes apparent that when the microswitch 216 is closedthe motor 238 will be energized by the winding 254 so as to drive themotor 238 in a forward direction and hence move the dimmer 239 by amechanical linkage therewith, to dim the lights. Actually, the lightconnection for the overall lights, which are to be dimmed is atconnector 339 which is connected at one point to the dimmer 239 by line341). The other side 3311 of the dimmer 239 is connected through theterminals 341 of terminal board 251 to line 99. The other side of thelight connector 339 is connected through terminals 312 to line 343. Line3&3 can be traced through FIGS. 6D and 6E to the closed points 3% on thepanel 69 in FIG. 6C. The circuit path continues through the closedpoints 34 3 and 345 to line 346. Line 3416 can be traced to theterminals 347 on board 251 in FIG. 6B and therefrom to the movable tap3419 of dimmer 239. It will be recalled that line 99 which we have justdetermined is connected to the dimmer 239 at the end 338, is the linethat is connected to switch points 97 (main switch) and through thepoints 97 to the electrical plug 119 via line 941. Accordingly, we havetraced a circuit for the main lights at connector 339 from the mainpower source, through the switch points 97, through the dimmer pot 235,through the center tap 3411, through the light connector 339 to linejunction 337. Line 3411 merely connects line junction 337 to the dimmer239 to complete the variable voltage connection. However, the other sideof the power circuit path commences at junction 337, through terminals349, along line 237. It will be recalled that line 237 connects with themiddle prong of electrical plug 839 and hence the power path to lightconnector 339 is complete.

When the microswitch 216 falls off the removable plug, the motor 238will no longer be energized and hence the dimmer pot will stop at thatlocation.

Now it should be borne in mine that we are contemplating an automaticoperation at this juncture, so that removable plugs should be alsoinserted in the timer track. Hence when the AC hum is received at thejacl 199 during the automatic operation and the relay 219 isautomatically energized, as will be described hereinafter, the removableplugs in the timing track will stop the drum motor each time the timermicroswitch is activated. The circuitry to automatically energize relay219 has not been considered at this time because the manually operableswitch 217 was closed to determine if the dimmer pot was dimming thelights to the extent that we desired.

12 SYNCHRONIZER The energization of relay 219 initiates the automaticcontrol. Hence consider how the relay 219 is energized automaticallyfrom the AC hum, or control signal, then thereafter all the operationsof the planetarium can be considered as they automatically operate.Assume for the moment that there is an AC hum signal developed acrossthe lines 212 and 213 (FIG. 6C) by virtue of the jack 199 being insertedinto the reading position of the magnetic recorder. With the AC humsignal developed across the lines 212 and 213, there will be an ACsignal developed across the resistor 203 (FIG. 6D). The diode 265 actsto rectify this AC signal and develop a DC bias across the resistor 266.The DC bias across the resistor 266 is sufficient to fire thesilicon-controlled rectifier 267 and hence there is a surge of DCcurrent to energize the relay 219. The current path is from theleft-hand terminal of the secondary 201), through the relay 219, alongthe lines 220 and 221 to the junction point 268, down along the line209, to the cathode side of the silicon-controlled rectifier 267,through the siliconcontrolled rectifier 267, back to the other side ofthe secondary 2911. Accordingly, the relay 219 is energized, therebyclosing the relay points 218 which in turn, as seen previously, enablesthe motor 234 to be energized. It follows then that when there is an AChum signal on the second track of the magnetic-recording, relay 219 isenergized and this causes the motor 234 to be energized (as describedearlier) thereby moving the drum.

Upon setting up a circuit through the silicon-controlled rectifier 267 acircuit is established through the winding of the relay 219. Thiscircuit will remain in established condition until the microswitch 270is no longer held closed by the plugs through the rotation of the drummotor 234 which in turn will cause the diode 267 to open the relay 219,thus stopping the motor 236.

Before studying the entire automatic operation, briefly consider thecircuitry through the microswitch 270 which keeps the motor 234energized. It has been determined above that if the relay points 218 areclosed, the motor 234 will be energized so hence we need only define thecircuitry to keep, or hold the relay 219 energized. The hold circuitrystarts from the left-hand terminal of the secondary winding 2110,through the relay 219, along the line 220, down to the right along theline 271, up and through the terminals 272, down along the line 273 intothe circuitry of FIG. 6E, through the terminals 274 of terminal board308, further along the line 273, through the microswitch 270, back alongthe return line 275, through the terminals 276 of terminal board 308,continuing back along the line 275 up and through the circuitry in FIG.6D to the terminals 277 of terminal board 102, back along the line 278,to the other side of the secondary winding 200. It should be understoodthat when the relay 219 is energized by the AC hum signal, the relaypoints 218 close thereby energizing the drum motor 23 DETAILS OFAUTOMATIC OPERATION Thus far we have studied the basic circuitrynecessary for the automatic operation of the planetarium display. Wehave determined that the relay 219 can be energized by an AC hum signalwhich in turn closes the relay points 218 to automatically energize thedrum motor 234. If the operator has predetermined from his lecture, howlong he wants the drum motor to operate at any given time with respectto the lecture, he simply inserts the removable plugs in the track onthe drum opposite the microswitch 270 in FIG. 6B and accordinglymicroswitch 270 will be held closed to make the drum continue in itsrotation. If the drum is continually rotated then each of themicroswitches on the microswitch array 215 which lies opposite insertedremovable plugs will be closed and the operations which thesemicroswitches control will be put into effect. Having thus establishedthat this operation can take place, let us consider the various circuitsthrough the microswitches on the microswitch display 215, and theoperations which they accomplish when they are closed.

lid

sidered, the first circuitry that was studied was that which.

energized the auxiliary outlet M9 in FIG. 68. Let us examine theautomatic circuitry to energize the auxiliary outlet 119 in FIG. 6B. Thecircuit path commences at the common line 120 of the secondary winding11 45, goes along the line 120, up and to the right along the line 124,to the wire junction 182, to the left along the line R22, to theright-hand side of the auxiliary outlet lll'h. Commencing from theright-hand side of the auxiliary outlet llllh, the circuit pathcontinues along the line 123 to the right to the wire junction 124. Theautomatic circuit path continues from the wire junction 124 downward andto the left along the line 441 to the female connector 402. The femaleconnector 402 fits the male position 403,. in FIG. 6C, and the circuitcontinues therefrom along the line 404 to the right and upward to thewire junction 405. The circuit continues from the wire junction 405 tothe right on line 406 into the circuitry of FIG. 41), downward on line406 to the circuitry of FIG. 6E, through the terminals 407 of thetenninal board 244, further along the line 406 through the microswitch408, back on the common line 409, through the terminals 410 of terminalboard 308 and further along to the right on the line 409, upward alongthe line 449 into the circuitry of FIG. 60, through the line junction4111 and further on line 409 into the circuitry of HG dc to the maleposition 412. The male position 412 fits into the female position 413 inFIG. 6B, and the path continues therefrom along the center tap line 124to the center tap of the secondary winding H15 of the transformer 114.Hence it becomes apparent that if these is a removable plug opposite themicroswitch 408 in FIG. 612, so that the microswitch 408 becomes closed,or held closed, the auxiliary outlet i119 will be energized by powerfrom the secondary winding M5.

It will be recalled that earlier it was mentioned that there was aseries of indicator lights on the indicator switch panel 69. Theindicator lights act to tell the operator that the circuit that theyrespectively represent should be energized and if indeed it is notfunctioning correctly then it is normally the failure of the deviceitself, that is the particular lamp such as the stars lamp, rather thanthe power circuitry through the microswitch. For instance, in thecircuitry for the auxiliary outlet l1 l9 we found that the circuitrypath is through the wire junction 404 (MG. 6C) directly below the lamp434. If we consider the circuitry to the lamp 414 we will find that itwill be turned on when the microswitch 408 is closed. The power circuitpath for the lamp 434 commences at the common line 120 of the secondarywinding 11114 in FlG. 68, goes along line 120 through the wire junction1187, to the female plug positions 262, 243 and 264. It will be recalledthat these female positions fit the respective male positions 26ll, 260and 259. The path continues from the last-mentioned male positionsupwards and to the right to the wire junction 255. From the wirejunction 254 the path goes along the line 415. Now, while it is notshown in the schematic, it is to be understood that on the backside ofthe switch and panel light board 69 there is a connection from each ofthe lamps to the wire 414 so that one side of the lamp circuit isconnected to the power path 415. In the present situation the circuitpath continues from the other side of the lamp 4E4 along the line 416 tothe circuit junction 405 The circuit path from the circuit junction 405along the line 406 is identical to the one described above and passesthrough the microswitch 404 eventually back to the middle tap of thesecondary transformer 1H5. Hence, the microswitch 408 becomes thecontrolling factor in energizing the lamp 414 and if the microswitch 408is closed the indicator lamp 414 will be illuminated. If at this timethe device which should be operated from the auxiliary outlet 1149 isnot operative, the lecturer hnows that there is power being fed to theauxiliary outlet and the trouble will lie in the auxiliary equipment.

Now the second item that we consider in the manual operation is theillumination of the eastern horizon lamp t30 found in FIG. 64. Let usfollow the circuit path to illuminate the eastern horizon lump I130automatically. It will be recalled that each of the lump circuits had acommon circuit path to the ground terminal 132. This common circuitcommenced with the common line from the secondary winding 115, upwardsalong the line 121, to the line 131 in FIG. 6A and finally to the groundterminal 132. In the case of the lamp the circuit path continues fromthe ground terminal 133, through the lamp 130, along the line 135 to thewire junction 417. In the automatic operation, the circuit pathcontinues from the wire junction 417, leftward and downward along theline 4th to the female position 419. The female position 419 in FIG. 6Bfits the male position 420 in FIG. 6C, and the circuit continuestherefrom along the line 421 to the wire junction 422 below theindicator lamp 423. The power circuit for energizing the eastern horizonlamp 130 continues from the wire junction 422 to the right and along theline424, and downward along the line 424 through the circuitry of FIG.6D into the circuitry of FIG. 6E. The circuit continues through theterminals 425 of the terminal board 244, further along the line 424through the microswitch 426. From the microswitch 426 back along thecommon line 409 which circuit path we have just followed to the centertap of the secondary winding M5. Accordingly when the microswitch 426 isclosed by the removable plugs, the eastern horizon lamp 130 will beilluminated.

We followed the circuitry for the eastern horizon lamp 130 to the wirejunction 422 in FIG. 6C and the power to illuminate the indicator lamp423 is similar to that which was described for the lamp 414. In otherwords, there is power from the common wire on the secondary winding 115through the male plug positions 259, 260 and 261 in FIG. 6C along theline 415. One terminal of the indicator light 423 will be connected tothe line 415 and the other terminal of the indicator light 423 isconnected to the line 424 which we have traced through the microswitch426. Hence, when the microswitch 426 is closed the indicator light 423will be illuminated. If at this time the eastern horizon lamp 130 is notilluminated, then the operator knows that the problem is in the lamp 130and not in the microswitch circuitry.

The third operation we studied in the manual operation was theillumination of the stars lamp 138 in FIG. 6A. The circuitry toautomatically illuminate the stars lamp 138 commences initially alonglines 120, 121 and 131 as did the circuitry for the lamp 130 and istraced to the ground terminal 132. The circuitry continues from theground terminal 134 through the lamp 138, through the contact 140 to theright downward along the line 141 to the wire junction 427. Theautomatic circuit continues rightward and downward along the line 424 tothe female position 429 in FIG. 6B. The female position 429 fits themale position 430 in FIG. 6C. The circuit continues from the maleposition 430 upwards to the right, along the line 431 to the wirejunction 432 below the indicator lamp 433. The power path continues fromthe wire junction 432 rightward and downward along the line 434 into thecircuitry of FIG. 61), into the circuitry of FIG. 6E to the terminals435 of the terminal board 244. The circuit continues from the terminals435 further along the line 434 through the microswitch 436 along thereturn line 409. The return line 409 has been previously traced back tothe center tap of the secondary winding 115 and hence it becomes clearthat when the microswitch 436 is closed, or held closed, by theinsertion of the removable plugs into the drum, the stars lamp 138 willbe energized and therefore illuminated. In tracing out the circuitry toautomatically illuminate the lamp 138, we traced the power path from thewire junction 432 in FIG. 6C. The power circuit to illuminate theindicator light 433.is similar to that described in connection with theprevious indicator lamps, in this instance the circuit is provided onthe line 415, through the lamp 433, to the wire junction 432 andtherefrom along the line 434 through the microswitch 436 as justdescribed in connection with the automatic illumination of the starslamp 438. Hence, it also becomes clear that when the microswitch 436 isclosed the indicator light 433 will be illuminated and the operator willknow that the stars lamp should be on." If it is not on, it is possiblethat it is burned out.

The next function that we considered in the manual operation was theenergization of the lamps on the rack 117. When these lamps areilluminated they represent the sun, moon and planet lamps. The circuitpath for energizing the lamps i9, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and Bi commences onthe common line 120 and goes up along the line il2i, further along theline 131 to the ground terminal 132. The path continues from the groundterminal M4 along the left-hand common wire, through each of the lampsi9, 211, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 31! to the right-hand common line M5, to theright and along the line M6, to the wire junction 437 in FIG. 6B. In theautomatic operation the circuit path continues from the wire junction437 along the line 438 to the female position 139. The female position339 fits the male position 440 in FIG. 6C and the circuitry continuestherefrom along the line Mill, upward to the wire junction 442 whichlies beneath the indicator lamp 443. The circuitry path continues fromthe wire junction 442 to the right, and downward along the line 444 ofthe circuitry of FIG. 6D into the circuitry of FlG. 6E, through theterminals MS of the terminal board 2%, further along the line 444i,through the microswitch M6, and back along the common line 4W9 whichpath we have previously traced to the center tap of the secondarywinding 1115. Hence it follows that when the microswitch 446 is closedthe lamps i9, 21, 23, 25, 27, 29 and 311 will be illuminated. in tracingout the circuitry to illuminate the lamps on the rack 37 we traced thatcircuitry from the wire junction 442 and accordingly it follows that theindicator lamp M3 is illuminated by power from the line 4115 through theindicator lamp M3 to the wire junction position 4 32 and on along theline 4 34 as previously described. Hence, it also becomes apparent thatwhen the microswitch 446 is closed the indicator lamp 443 will be turnedon indicating to the operator that the lamps on the rack 17 should beenergized.

In the study of the manual operation we next considered the energizationof the daily motion motor Mid and the annual motion motor M9. It will berecalled that the daily motion motor and the annual motion motor can bedriven in both the forward and the reverse direction and the automaticcontrol provides for driving the daily motion motor as well as theannual motion motor in both forward and reverse directions.

Examine first the automatic operation of the daily motion motor Md.Initially the switch 57 in MG. 55 will be placed in a neutral position,i.e., it will not be connected to either the terminal 157 or theterminal 357. The power circuit for the daily motion motor Mt; will befrom the common line 1120 of the secondary winding H5, upward along theline 1152 in FIGS. 68 and 6A, to the wire junction 153, from the wirejunction I153 through the winding 1154 (assuming that we are going todrive the motor in the forward direction) to the right and downwardalong the line 1155 to the switch terminal 357. The automatic operationcontinues downward along the line 447 to the female position M8 whichfits into the male position 449 in FIG. 6C. The circuit continues fromthe male position M9, along the line 450 to the wire junction 45H lyingdirectly below the indicator light 352. The circuit continues from thewire junction 45K, to the right along the line 353, through thecircuitry of FIG. 6D and along the line 453 into the circuitry of FIG.6E, through the terminals 456 of terminal board 244 and further alongthe line 453 to the microswitch 455. The circuitry continues through themicroswitch 455 back along the common line 245. It will be recalled thatwhen we discussed the operation of the dimmer motor 235, through themicroswitch 216, that the common path, starting at the line 245, wastraced back to the line 56 in FIG. @B to the full voltage side of thesecondary winding 1115. The same circuit is in effect for themicroswitch 455 and hence when the microswitch 455 is closed, the fullvoltage from the secondary winding M5 is applied to the winding 3156 ofthe motor M8 (FIG. 6A) to drive the motor M5 in the forward direction.The circuitry for driving the daily motion motor M5 in the reversedirection is similar to that just described excepting that the circuitis through the winding 11555, to the left and downward along the lineR59, to the switch terminal 157 of the switch 159. The automaticcircuitry continues to the left and down along the line ass downward tothe female position 457. The female position 457 fits into the maleposition 458 from whence the circuit path continues to the wire junction559. The wire junction 4359 is located directly below the indicatorlight 359. The circuitry continues from the wire junction 459, along theline 4161 into the circuitry of FIG. 6D, downward along the line 461into the circuitry of FIG. 6E, through the terminals ass of the terminalboard 244 and further along the line 4M to the microswitch position 463.The power path continues on the other side of the microswitch 463 backalong the common line 245, which was previously traced out, to beconnected to line I156 on the full voltage side of the secondary winding115. Accordingly, the full voltage developed across the secondarywinding M5 is applied to the motor winding 158 when the daily motionmotor 148 is to be driven in the reverse direction.

Now it should be clear that when the operator is using the device andhas inserted the plugs for the automatic operation of the drum, theplugs cannot be inserted to activate both microswitches 455 and 463 atthe same time. If this were to happen both the windings 154 and H58would be energized at the same time and the motor would be inoperative.

in tracing out the circuits for the forward and reverse energization ofthe daily motion motor 148, the circuits were traced from the wirejunctions 451 and 459 in FlG. 6C. Connected to these wire junctionpositions are respectively the indicator lamps 552 and was. Theindicator lamps 452 and 460 are respectively connected to the line M5and as were the other indicator lamps, previously described, these lampsare energized when their associated microswitches are closed therebyindicating that the daily motion motor should be going in either theforward or reverse direction automatically.

Study, now, the circuitry for the annual motion motor and first let itbe understood that the switch I151 will be in a neutral position, thatis, it will not be connected to terminals 364 or 365. The circuitry forthe annual motion motor commences at the common line 120, goes up alongthe line 152 into the circuitry of FIG. 6A to the bus 359. The circuitrycontinues from the bus 359 downward and to the right along the line 358,to the wire junction 360 and (assuming we are going to drive the annualmotion motor in the forward direction) through the winding 3611, arounda leftward loop, and downward along the line 353 to the switch terminal364 in FIG. 6B. The automatic operation circuit continues downward alongthe line 464 to the female position 465. The female position M5 fitsinto the male position 466 and the circuitry continues therefrom alongthe line 467, upwards to the wire junction 468 which is located belowthe indicator light ass. The circuitry continues to the right from thewire junction $68, along the line 479 into the circuitry of FIG. 6D,further along the line 470 into the circuitry of FIG. 5E, through theterminals 373 and the terminal board 244, further along the iine 470,through the microswitch 472, to the common return line 245. It will berecalled that the common return line 245 has been traced out to the line156 in FIG. 68 on the full voltage side of the secondary winding 1115.Accordingly, when the microswitch 472 is closed, the full voltagedeveloped on the secondary winding will be applied to the forwardmovement winding 361 of the annual motion motor M9 in FIG. 6A. When theannual motion motor M9 is to be driven in the reverse direction thecircuitry is the same, as just described, up to the wire junction 360.The path commences therefrom, through the winding 362, leftward around aloop and downward along the line 366 to the switch terminal 365 of theswitch 511 in FIG. 6B. The automatic circuit path continues from theswitch terminal 365, to the right and down along the line 473 to thefemale position 374i. The female position 4374 fits with the maleposition 375 and the circuit continues therefrom, along the line 4176 tothe wire junction 4377 which is located below the in dicator light 4573.The circuit continues from the wire junction 477 to the right along theline 479 into the circuit of FIG. 61) and downward along the line 479into the circuitry of FIG. 6B,

through the terminals 480 of the terminal board 244, up along line 479to the microswitch 481. The other side of the microswitch 481 isconnected to the common return line 244 which we have previously tracedback to the line 156 in FIG. 6B which is the line connected to the fullvoltage terminal of the secondary winding 115. Hence it becomes apparentthat when the microswitch 481 is closed the full voltage developed onthe secondary winding 115 will be applied to the reverse directionwinding 362 of the annual motion motor 149.

Now in tracing out the circuitry for the forward and reverse directionwindings of the annual motion motor 149 we traced the circuits from thecircuit junctions 468 and 477 in FIG. 6C. The illumination of theindicator lights 469 and 478 is effected by power from the line 415through each of these respective lamps to the respective junctions 468and 477. Hence if the microswitch 472 is closed the indicator light 469will be illuminated and if the microswitch 481 is closed the indicatorlight 478 will be illuminated indicating to the operator that the annualmotion motor should be moving in either the reverse or the forwarddirection depending upon which indicating lamp is illuminated. As wastrue with the daily motion motor, it should be apparent that if theannual motion motor is to be automatically operated the removable plugscannot be inserted opposite both the microswitches 472 and 481 at thesame time, otherwise each of the windings 362 and 361 in FIG. 6A wouldbe energized and the motor would be inoperative.

In our discussion of the manual operation we considered the illuminationof the lamp 160 which is the meridian lamp. The automatic circuitry forilluminating the lamp 160 commences with the familiar path starting atthe common line 120, up

along the line 121, further along the line 131, to the ground terminal132. It further continues from the ground terminal 133, through the lamp160, down along the line 367 to the wire junction 368 in FIG. 6B. Theautomatic circuit continues from the wire junction 368 down along theline 482 to the female position 483. The female position 483 fits withthe male position 484 and'the circuit continues therefrom, along theline 485 to the right and up to the wire junction 486. The wire junction486 lies below the indicating light 487. The circuit continues from thewire junction 486 to the right, along the line 488 into the circuitry ofFIG. 6D, down along the line 488 into the circuitry of FIG. 6E, up andthrough the terminals 489 of the terminal board 244 further along theline 488 to the microswitch 490. The other side of the microswitch 490is connected to the terminal line 409 whose path we have traced back tothe center tap line 128 which goes to the center tap of the secondarywinding 115. Accordingly it becomes apparent that when the microswitch490 is closed, or held closed, the meridian light 160 will beilluminated. At the same time the indicator light 486 will beilluminated by power from the line 415 through the lamp 487 to the wirejunction 486 and on through the microswitch 490.

Next consider the illumination of the equator lamp 161. The powercircuitry thereto commences at the common line 120 from secondarywinding 115, up along the lines 121 and 131 to the ground terminal 132.The circuitry further continues from the ground terminal 163, throughthe lamp 161 to the left and down along the line 369 to the wirejunction 370. The automatic circuit continues from the wire junction 470along the line 491 to the female position 492. The female position 492fits with the male position 493 and the circuit continues therefrom downand to the right along the line 494 up to the wire junction 495. Thewire junction 495 is located below the indicator lamp 496. The circuitcontinues from the wire junction 495 to the right along the line 497into the circuitry of FIG. 6D, down along the line 497 into thecircuitry of FIG. 6E, up and through the terminals 498 of the terminalboard 244, further along the line 497 to the microswitch 499. The otherside of the microswitch 499 is connected to the common return line 409which we have previously traced back to the middle tap line 128 in FIG.6B and hence to the middle tap of the secondary winding 115.Accordingly, it becomes apparent that when the microswitch 499 isclosed, or held closed, the equator lamp 161 in FIG. 6A is illuminated.

As was the case with similar indicating lights, the indicating light 496in FIG. 6C will be energized by power from the line 415, through thelamp 496, to the wire junction 495 and further along the line 497through the microswitch 499. When the microswitch 499 is closed, theindicating light 496 indicates to the operator that the equator lamp 161should be illuminated.

Now consider the automatic illumination of the ecliptic lamp 32. Onceagain the initial circuitry is along the common line from secondarywinding 115, up line 121, along line 131 to the ground terminal 132. Thecircuitry continues from the ground terminal 144, through the lamp 132,up and back to the left along the line 167 to the wire junction 371. Theautomatic circuit path continues from the wire junction 371, down alongthe line 500, to the female position 501. The female position 501 fitswith the male position 502 and this circuit continues therefrom along tothe right on line 502, up to the circuit wire junction 504, which islocated below the indicating light 505. The circuit continues from thewire junction 504 to the right along the line 506, into the circuitry ofFIG. 6D, down along line 506 into the circuitry of FIG. 6E, through theterminal 507 of the terminal board 244 on along the line 506, to themicroswitch 508. The other side of the microswitch 508 is connected tothe common return 409 which has been previously traced to a center tapline 128 in FIG. 6B and hence to the center tap of the secondary winding115. Accordingly, when the microswitch 508 is closed, or held closed,the ecliptic lamp 32 will be illuminated. The indicator lamp 505 is alsoilluminated when the microswitch 508 is closed by power from the theline 415 through the indicating lamp 505 to the wire junction 504 and asjust described from the wire junction 504 through the microswitch 508.

The next function that we considered in the manual operation discussion,which is automated, is the west horizon lamp in FIG. 6A. The automaticcircuit path commences on the common line 120 from the secondary winding115, goes up along the line 121, along the line 131, to the groundterminal 132. The circuit path continues from the ground terminal 176,through the lamp 175, down along the line 177 to the wire junction 372.The automatic circuit path continues from the wire junction 372, downalong the line 509 to the female position 510. The female position 510fits with the male position 511 and the circuit continues therefrom downand to the right on line 512, up along the line 512 to the wire junction513 which is located below the indicator lamp 514. The circuit continuesfrom the wire junction 513 to the right along the line 515, into thecircuitry of FIG. 6D, down along the line 515 into the circuitry of-FIG.6E, up and through the terminals 516 of the terminal board 244, furtheralong the line 515 to the microswitch 517. The other side of themicroswitch 517 is connected to the common return line 409 which we havepreviously traced back to the center tap line 128 and hence to thecenter tap of the secondary winding 115. Accordingly, when themicroswitch 517 is closed, the west horizon lamp 175 will beilluminated. The indicating lamp 514 will also be illuminated when themicroswitch 517 is closed by virtue of power from the line 415 throughthe lamp 514 to the wire junction 513, thus giving the operator anindication that the west horizon lamp should be illuminated.

In the description of the manual operation we next considered thecircuitry for the pointer jack 181 in FIG. 6B. The automatic circuitrystarts from the common line 120 of secondary winding 115 along the line121 to the wire junction 182, leftward therefrom along the line 122, tothe left-hand side of the pointer jack 181. The circuit continues fromthe righthand side of the pointer jack 181, downward along the line 518to the female position 519. The female position 519 fits with the maleposition 520 and the circuitry continues therefrom to the right on line521 to the wire junction 522. The circuit continues from the wirejunction 522 downward and to the right, along the line 523 into thecircuitry of FIG. 6D, downward along the line 523 into the circuitry ofFIG. 6E, through the terminals 524 of the terminal board 244 and furtheralong the line 523 to the microswitch 525. The other side of themicroswitch 525 is connected to the common return line 409 which we havepreviously traced back to the middle tap line 128 in FIG. 6B andultimately to the middle tap of secondary winding 115. Accordingly, whenthe microswitch 525 is closed there is power supplied to thepointerjaclt 1181.

As was true with the other functions there is an indicator light 526which is energized when the microswitch 525 is closed by virtue of powerfrom the line 515, through the in dicator 526, to the wirejunction 522,thereby indicating to the operator that there is power supplied in thepointer jack 181.

Next let us study the operation of the latitude motor I86 which is foundin FIG. 6A. The latitude motor I86 can be driven in both the forward andreverse directions, hence the manual switch I85 which is found in FIG.68 must be set in a neutral position when the circuit is to be operatedautomatically. The automatic circuit path for the latitude motor I86commences in FIG. 68 at the common line I20 of the secondary winding US,through the wire junction I87, along the line I88 up to the wirejunction H89 in FIG. 6A. If we are going to operate the latitude motorin the forward direction, the circuit is through the winding 190, to theright and up along the line 186, through the limit switch I91, back downthe line 192 to the wire junction 373. The automatic circuit continuesfrom the wire junction 373, downward along the line 527 to the femaleposition 528. The female position 528 fits into the male position 529and the circuit continues therefrom down and to the right along the line530, upward to the wire junction 531. The wire junction 531 is locatedbelow the indicating lamp 532. The circuit continues from the wirejunction 531 rightward, along the line 533 into the circuitry of FIG.68, down along the line 533 into the circuitry of FIG. 6E, up andthrough the terminals 536 of the terminal board 264, further along theline 533 to the microswitch 535. The other side of the microswitch 535is connected to the common line 245 which we earlier traced back to theline 156 in FIG. 6B and thence to the full voltage terminal of thesecondary winding I15. Accordingly, it becomes apparent that when themicroswitch 535 is closed, or held closed, there is the full volt agedeveloped on the secondary winding applied to the winding 100 of themotor I86. The circuitry to drive the motor 106 in the reverse directionis similar to the circuitry just described excepting that from the wirejunction I80 the circuit is through the winding I94, along the lines 304and 196 and down to the wire junction I97 in FIG. 6B. The automaticcircuitry continues from the wire junction I97 down along the line 536to the female position 537. The female position 537 fits the maleposition 533 and the circuitry continues therefrom downward and to theright along the line 539, up to the wire junction 540. The wire junction540 is located just below the indicating lamp 5M. The circuit continuesfrom the wire junction 540 to the right along the line 542 into thecircuitry of FIG. 6D, downward along the line 562 into the circuitry ofFIG. 6E, upward and through the terminal 543 of the terminal board 246,further along the line 542 to the microswitch 544. The other side of themicroswitch 544 is connected to the common line 245 which we havepreviously traced back to the line I56 of FIG. 6B and to the fullvoltage terminal of the secondary winding 1R5. Hence it becomes apparentthat when the microswitch SM is closed, or held closed, the full voltagedeveloped on the secondary winding IE5 is applied to the winding I96 ofthe latitude motor 186.

Now the two indicating lamps 532 and 5611 are respectively illuminatedwhen the mieroswitches 535 and 544 are closed and this is accomplishedby power from the line 615, through each of these respective lamps tothe respective wire junctions 5311 and 560. Thus, the operator has anindication that the latitude motor should be operating in the forward orreverse direction depending upon which indicator lamp is illuminated. Aswas true with the other motors, the removable plugs cannot be insertedinto the drum adjacent one another to operate the mieroswitches 535 and5 14, otherwise both of the windings I90 and 194 of the latitude motorwill be energized and the motor would be inoperative.

Thus far in our description we have covered all of the automaticoperation of the lamps and the motors found in the planetarium anddepicted schematically in FIGS. 6A and 68. There are some switches onthe switch indicator panel 69 that have not been discussed and theseshould be considered at this time. It will be recalled that when we weretracing out the operation of the dimmer motor 236 we also traced out thepower to the lamp connection 339 for the overall lamps of the room orplanetarium. There is an override switch for these house lights on theswitch and indicator panel 69 and that switch is located at switchposition 601 in FIG. 6C. If the transfer point of the switch 601 istransferred from its position shown at 366 to be connected to the switchpoint 602 then there will be power from the wire junction 08 (which itwill be recalled is connected directly to the main power switch) throughthe switch point 602 through the closed transfer point back and to theright along the line 363 into the circuitry of FIG. 6D, downwardsthrough the circuitry of FIG. 6E, back to the terminals 342 of theterminal board 251 to the lamp 339. The other side of the lamp 339 hasbeen traced out previously. Hence if the operator wants to turn on thelights despite the fact that the automatic control has dimmed the lightshe simply closed the switch 601 (which opens up the points 344 and thepoints 365) and turns up the house lights."

It will be recalled that the system can be used in conjunction with aslide projector 603 which is shown in FIG. 6C. The slide projector 603can also be programmed through the drum 73. The power to turn on theslide projector 603 is obtained from the electrical plug also found inFIG. 6C. In order to energize the electrical plug 90 and thereby turn onthe projector 603, the switch 606 on the switch-indicator light panel 69is turned on, thereby supplying power from the wire junction 98, alongthe common line 605, through the closed switch 604,, down along the line606, to the right along the line 606 into the circuitry of FIG. 6D tothe wire junction 607. From the wire junction 607 the circuit is to theleft through the terminals 608, further along the line 609 into thecircuitry of FIG. 6C and up and to the left along 609 to the other sideof the plug 90. Hence, when the switch 606 in FIG. 6C is closed there ispower supplied to the electrical plug 90 and hence the projector 603 isprovided with power for its operation. Closing switch 606 provides powerto the projector to start the fan and whatever is necessary for aprojector operation. The projector 603 is also illuminated by closingthe switch 604. The switch 610 controls the advancing or reversal ofmovement of the slides. The power to the projector 603 is provided fromthe plug 00, as just described, and instead of having to activate theprojector from the projector location itself, as would ordinarily occur,there is literally a wire path to both turn the lamp on and advance theslides provided in the console. The three lines 611, 612 and 613connected to the switch 610 can be traced through the terminal board I02at the terminals 614, 6115 and 616 to the cable 617. The cable 617 isconnected into the slide projector 603 for a proper interface so thatwhen the switch 610 is moved to the right the slide is illuminated andprojected and when the switch is instead moved to the left the slide isadvanced.

The next switch to the left of the switch 6B0 on the panel 69 is themanual dimmer switch 620. If the circuitry is traced out from the switch620 it will be found that the transfer position or the middle electricalelement shown is connected back to the line 242 at the wire junction 62](FIG. 6D). It will be recalled that there is power on the line 242 fromthe male position 261 which is further connected to the female position240 and therefrom to the maximum voltage terminal of the secondarywinding 115. Further, if either of the points to which the transferpoint of switch 620 can be connected is traced out is will be determinedthat these lines are connected to the windings 256 and 622 of the dimmerpot motor 238. Hence, if the switch 620 is transferred to either itsright or left side it will override the automatic control and cause thedimmer pot to be moved thereby dimming or intensifying the lights for aslong as the switch is held on.

Finally, the last switch on the switch indicator-light panel 69 is theswitch 625. it will be recalled that when the drum motor 234 isenergized through the relay points 218 the path was through the closedswitch points 231. The relay points 218 provided power from the wirejunction 98 after the power had come through the main power switch 97along the line 99 to the line 23% and thence through the closed points231 to the motor 234. When the switch 625 is closed, the normally closedpoints 231 are open, and hence there is a circuit from the same wirejunction 98 along the common line 605, through the closed switch points625, along the line 331 and through the terminals 232 as describedbefore to the motor 234. Hence the operator can either rapidly move thedrum to advance the display to another portion of the program or preventthe drum from rotating.

The remaining feature in the circuitry shown in FIGS. 6A through 615which has not been described is the panel lamp 630 shown in FIG. 615.This is a panel light to enable the lecturer to use and possibly locatehis notes, etc. for the purpose of reading. The lamp 630 is normally ared shaded incandescent lamp which is connected through a rheostat 63]directly to one side of the power line 99, through the terminals 341 anddirectly to the other side of the power line 237 through the terminals349. Accordingly. the lamp can be dimmed down by rotating the rheostat6311 or brightened as the case may be and this is accomplished manuallybe moving the rheostat tap.

in summary, then, the present device provides a planetarium with thenormal light projectors including the horizon phenomena, the eclipticphenomena, the diurnal, annual and latitude movements as well asdisplays of the stars, the sun, the moon and the planets. The displayscan be effected automatically in conjunction with a recorded lecture.The signals from the control channel of the recorded tape willautomatically start the drum while the removable plugs which areinserted in the drum actually cause the display and motor movements totake efiect through the various microswitches associated with thoseinserted removable plugs.

lclaim:

1. A planetarium arrangement having a plurality of projectors, a sourceof electrical power and a control system comprising in combination meansto mount each of said projectors so that when it is illuminated itprojects a celestial object;

rotatable drum means having a surface upon which there can beselectively formed actuating means;

electrically activated driving means coupled to said rotatable drummeans to rotate said drum means;

a plurality of electrical switches disposed in close proximity to saidsurface of said drum means;

each of said electrical switches having an associated responsive meanswhich will provide electrical continuity through its switch in responseto the presence of an actuating means on said surface of said drum;

first circuitry means connecting said source of electrical power throughcertain of said electrical switches to said electrical activated drivemeans to cause said electrically activated drive means to be selectivelyactivated for variable lengths of the time in accordance with thepresence or absence of said selectively formed actuating means on thesurface of said rotatable drum, whereby said rotatable drum can berotated intermittently and for variable lengths of time;

second circuitry means connecting said plurality of projectors to saidsource of electrical power through certain of said plurality ofelectrical switches so that said projectors can be selectively energizedin response to various actuating means being rotated past saidresponsive means, a movable voice recording means capable of providingcontrol signals as well as an oral description and synchronizer circuitmeans connected to said source of electrical power; and

third circuitry means connecting said synchronizer means to saidrotatable drum means and said movable voice recording means to causesaid rotatable drum means to move in response to control signals fromsaid voice recording means and simultaneously with the movement of saidvoice recording means in order to have said drum in conjunction withcertain of said electrical switches selectively energize certain of saidprojectors representing celestial objects in coordination with said oraldescription emanating from said voice recording means.

2. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said means tomount includes at least some electrically responsive movable means andwherein there is further included second circuitry means connecting saidelectrically responsive movable means through certain of said electricalswitches in order that certain of said electrically responsive movablemeans will be energized in response to said control signals.

3. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said voicerecording means is a magnetic tape recorder and wherein saidsynchronizing means includes a means to record control signals on tapeused with said tape recorder and wherein said synchronizer means employspart of said recording means to receive control signals from said taperecorder.

4. A planetarium arrangement having a plurality of projectors, a sourceof electrical power and a control system comprising in combination;

means to mount each of said projectors so that when it is illuminated itprojects a celestial object;

rotatable drum means having a surface upon which there can beselectively formed actuating means; electrically activated driving meanscoupled to said rotatable drum means to rotate said drum means;

a plurality of electrical switches disposed in close proximity to saidsurface of said drum means, each of said electrical switches having anassociated responsive means which will provide electrical continuitythrough its switch in response to the presence of an actuating means onsaid surface of said drum;

first circuitry means connecting said source of electrical power throughcertain of said electrical switches to said electrical activated drivemeans to cause said electrically activated drive means to be selectivelyactivated for variable lengths of time in accordance with the presenceor absence of said selectively formed actuating means on the surface ofsaid rotatable drum, whereby said rotatable drum can be rotatedintermittently and for variable lengths of time;

second circuitry means connecting said plurality of projectors to saidsource of electrical power through certain of said plurality ofelectrical switches so that said projectors can be selectively energizedin response to various actuating means being rotated past saidresponsive means;

said means to mount including at least some electrically responsivemovable means;

third circuitry means connecting said electrically responsive movablemeans to said source of electrical power through certain others of saidelectrical switches so that said electrically responsive movable meanscan be selectively energized in response to various actuating meansbeing rotated past said responsive means said rotatable drum meanshaving a plurality of receiving means on its surface; and a plurality ofinsert means whereby said insert means can be located in said receivingmeans to force said actuating means;

a movable voice recording means capable of providing control signals aswell as an oral description;

synchronizer circuit means connected to said source of electrical power;fourth circuitry means connecting said synchronizer means to saidrotatable drum means and said movable voice recording means to causesaid rotatable drum means to move in response to control signals fromsaid movable voice recording means and simultaneously with the movementof said voice recording means in order to have said drum, in conjunctionwith certain or said electrical switches, selectively energize certainof said projectors representing celestial objects in coordination withsaid oral description emanating from said voice recording means.

5. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there is yetfurther included general light illumination means and fourth circuitrymeans connecting said general light illumination means to said source ofelectrical power through certain of said electrical switches so thatsaid general light illumination means can be turned on or turned off inresponse to various actuating means being rotated past said responsivemeans.

6. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there isfurther yet included a plurality of indicating lamps with one eachassigned to a different one of said celestial projectors of saidplanetarium and sixth circuitry means connecting each of said indicatinglamps to said first circuitry means in order that each indicating lampassociated with a particular celestial projector will be illuminatedwhen said celestial projector should be energized.

7. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there isfurther yet included a plurality of manually operable switches andwherein there is further included seventh circuitry means connectingsaid plurality of projectors through assigned ones of said plurality ofmanually operable switches to said source of electrical power in orderthat a plurality of projectors can be selectively energized in responseto selectively operating said last-mentioned switches.

1. A planetarium arrangement having a plurality of projectors, a source of electrical power and a control system comprising in combination means to mount each of said projectors so that when it is illuminated it projects a celestial object; rotatable drum means having a surface upon which there can be selectively formed actuating means; electrically activated driving means coupled to said rotatable drum means to rotate said drum means; a plurality of electrical switches disposed in close proximity to said surface of said drum means; each of said electrical switches having an associated responsive means which will provide electrical continuity through its switch in response to the presence of an actuating means on said surface of said drum; first circuitry means connecting said source of electrical power through certain of said electrical switches to said electrical activated drive means to cause said electrically activated drive means to be selectively activated for variable lengths of the time in accordance with the presence or absence of said selectively formed actuating means on the surface of said rotatable drum, whereby said rotatable drum can be rotated intermittently and for variable lengths of time; second circuitry means connecting said plurality of projectors to said source of electrical power through certain of said plurality of electrical switches so that said projectors can be selectively energized in response to various actuating means being rotated past said responsive means, a movable voice recording means capable of providing control signals as well as an oral description and synchronizer circuit means connected to said source of electrical power; and third circuitry means connecting said synchronizer means to said rotatable drum means and said movable voice recording means to cause said rotatable drum means to move in response to control signals from said voice recording means and simultaneously with the movement of said voice recording means in order to have said drum in conjunction with certain of said electrical swItches selectively energize certain of said projectors representing celestial objects in coordination with said oral description emanating from said voice recording means.
 2. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said means to mount includes at least some electrically responsive movable means and wherein there is further included second circuitry means connecting said electrically responsive movable means through certain of said electrical switches in order that certain of said electrically responsive movable means will be energized in response to said control signals.
 3. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 1 wherein said voice recording means is a magnetic tape recorder and wherein said synchronizing means includes a means to record control signals on tape used with said tape recorder and wherein said synchronizer means employs part of said recording means to receive control signals from said tape recorder.
 4. A planetarium arrangement having a plurality of projectors, a source of electrical power and a control system comprising in combination; means to mount each of said projectors so that when it is illuminated it projects a celestial object; rotatable drum means having a surface upon which there can be selectively formed actuating means; electrically activated driving means coupled to said rotatable drum means to rotate said drum means; a plurality of electrical switches disposed in close proximity to said surface of said drum means, each of said electrical switches having an associated responsive means which will provide electrical continuity through its switch in response to the presence of an actuating means on said surface of said drum; first circuitry means connecting said source of electrical power through certain of said electrical switches to said electrical activated drive means to cause said electrically activated drive means to be selectively activated for variable lengths of time in accordance with the presence or absence of said selectively formed actuating means on the surface of said rotatable drum, whereby said rotatable drum can be rotated intermittently and for variable lengths of time; second circuitry means connecting said plurality of projectors to said source of electrical power through certain of said plurality of electrical switches so that said projectors can be selectively energized in response to various actuating means being rotated past said responsive means; said means to mount including at least some electrically responsive movable means; third circuitry means connecting said electrically responsive movable means to said source of electrical power through certain others of said electrical switches so that said electrically responsive movable means can be selectively energized in response to various actuating means being rotated past said responsive means said rotatable drum means having a plurality of receiving means on its surface; and a plurality of insert means whereby said insert means can be located in said receiving means to force said actuating means; a movable voice recording means capable of providing control signals as well as an oral description; synchronizer circuit means connected to said source of electrical power; fourth circuitry means connecting said synchronizer means to said rotatable drum means and said movable voice recording means to cause said rotatable drum means to move in response to control signals from said movable voice recording means and simultaneously with the movement of said voice recording means in order to have said drum, in conjunction with certain or said electrical switches, selectively energize certain of said projectors representing celestial objects in coordination with said oral description emanating from said voice recording means.
 5. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there is yet further included general light illumination means and fourth circuitry means conneCting said general light illumination means to said source of electrical power through certain of said electrical switches so that said general light illumination means can be turned on or turned off in response to various actuating means being rotated past said responsive means.
 6. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there is further yet included a plurality of indicating lamps with one each assigned to a different one of said celestial projectors of said planetarium and sixth circuitry means connecting each of said indicating lamps to said first circuitry means in order that each indicating lamp associated with a particular celestial projector will be illuminated when said celestial projector should be energized.
 7. A planetarium arrangement according to claim 4 wherein there is further yet included a plurality of manually operable switches and wherein there is further included seventh circuitry means connecting said plurality of projectors through assigned ones of said plurality of manually operable switches to said source of electrical power in order that a plurality of projectors can be selectively energized in response to selectively operating said last-mentioned switches. 